Saturday, 10 December 2011

Thoughts on Sport and Tatty's Tips - Sunday 10th December 2011

Yesterday was somewhat confusing. With only 1 winner at both of my favoured courses (Southwell and Wolverhampton) and each of those going off at odds of 6/4, I was beginning to despair, especially with 7 unplaced runners on the bounce. This was until the last 2 races when we landed 2nd place in both at 11/1 and 16/1, which restored my faith a little, shall we say?

Wolverhampton's Racecourse at Dunstall Park

One of the winners, namely Guava in the 7.50 at Wolverhampton, gave its trainer Richard Hannon a record 217 winners in a calendar year. Click here to read the Racing Post's take on the achievement.

Still at least United managed to gain an excellent 2-1 away win at Oxhey Jets.

It is fairly unusual to have AW racing on a Sunday, but the 3rd day of the Southwell meeting takes place. Here are a few that may be of interest.

Southwell

12.30 Xpres Maite - unplaced

1.00 Sky High Diver - won 15/8

1.30 Ambitious Icarus - unplaced

2.00 Flying Pickets - won 4/1

2.30 Autumn Blades - 2nd 8/1

3.00 Patriotic - unplaced

3.30 Takajan - unplaced

On to a different subject namely the noble art, or more specifically the controversial (if not outrageous) Amir Khan v Lamont Peterson WBA/IBF World light-welterweight title bout, at Washington Convention Center last night.

Khan lost his title in an action packed contest after being controversially deducted 2 points by the referee for 2 incidents of pushing in rounds 7 and 12. The three judges scored the fight 113-112, 113-112, 110-115. But how can 1 judge believe the British fighter won by 5 rounds, whereas the others shaded it to Peterson. I personally gave the fight to Khan by 2 rounds which, with the referees (interesting, let's say) deductions, would have made it a draw on my card.

No longer King Khan!

"It was like fighting two people in the ring, the referee and Lamont," Khan said afterwards. "I can see why there hasn't been a big fight in Washington in the last 20 years, because of decisions like this."

For a comprehensive report on the bout by respected Telegraph boxing correspondent Gareth A Davies, please click here

So where does Khan go after this? Maybe a rise in the weights is on the cards or will he want a rematch with Peterson to try and put the record straight? All that can be said is that King Khan cannot claim his crown anymore, or at least not at the moment.